RedVector RV-11103AW

Sustainable Sites Initiative and the SITES® Rating System

Sustainable Sites Initiative and the SITES® Rating System

2 hrs. Online Course

Level: Fundamental

Item#: RV-11103AW

SME: Rumanda Young, Ph.D.

This course has been discontinued.

 
 
How are you planning on the development of your next site? Have you planned on how you can maintain a healthy ecosystem on your site? This interactive online course introduces course participants to the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES®), which is an interdisciplinary effort and framework for the SITES® Rating System based on the concept of ecosystem services, or the benefits that people enjoy from healthy natural systems promoting sustainable land development and management practices. This course includes a discussion of the history and participating entities of the SITES effort. This course will also provide an in-depth study of SITES® Rating System national guidelines and performance benchmarks for soils, hydrology, vegetation, human health and well-being and materials selection for sustainable land design, construction and maintenance practices. This course will conclude with case studies of certified sites fostering resiliency, ecosystem services, human health, materials, soils/vegetation, and water.
Course Objectives
At the end of this course you will be able to:
  • Define the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES™)
  • Identify the history and participating entities of the SITES effort that helps to create ecologically resilient communities
  • Recognize the SITES national guidelines and performance benchmarks implemented to protect and enhance the benefits the pubic derives from healthy functioning landscapes
  • List how the SITES initiative benefits the environment, property owners, and local and regional communities and economies
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: Rumanda Young, Ph.D.
Rumanda Young, Ph.D. Photo
Dr. Young is a Registered Landscape Architect (RLA) in the state of Texas and a Certified Planner (AICP).  She holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture (BLA) from the University of Arkansas, a master’s degree in city and regional planning (MCRP) with environmental planning emphasis from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Ph.D. in urban planning and public policy. Dr. Young also spent time abroad in Cheltenham, England at the University of Gloucestershire focusing on sustainable development practices, environmental planning, and resource management.
Dr. Young has eight years of private practice experience, six of which working with the firm Carter & Burgess, Inc. She was involved in a variety of work including a wide range of park and recreational planning and design projects. Landscape Architectural experience ranges from preparation of detail site design plans, inventory and analysis documents, park, recreation and open space master plans, city-wide comprehensive plans, interpretive prospectus documents, construction document preparation, and preparation of grant applications and rezoning applications for cities throughout Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

Dr. Young currently works as a Military Master Planner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in the Planning, Environmental, and Regulatory Branch.  Dr. Young is involved in a variety of work including a wide range of military planning, programming, and design projects. Project Management experience ranges from installation design guides to campus master plans. Projects also focus on the impacts of development on human health and the environment, and improvements through better siting, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of military projects.

Dr. Young is also an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, School of Architecture.  She teaches master’s level landscape architecture design studio course(s).

 

State Licenses
NE - Engineer (General)
Accreditation: Vector Solutions is authorized by IACET to offer 0.2 CEUs for this program.
NJ - Engineer (General - 24GP000006300)
NY - Engineer (General)
Accreditation: Vector Solutions is authorized by IACET to offer 0.2 CEU for this program.